Uncoupling device for car couplers



Nov. 11 1 24. I 1,515,334 c. w. BOOTH UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERSFiled April 10, I922 Fatented Nov. 11, 1924.

HNHTED STATEfi CHARLES 1V. BOOTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS.

Application filed April 10, 1922.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ci-ninnns W. BOOTH, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented an Improved Uncoupling Device for Car Couplers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to uncoupling devices for car couplers andrelates particularly to the link which connects the locking pin of thecoupler with the uncoupling lever.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved link for thepurpose specified, which conforms to M. C. B. and A. R. A. requirements,is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction, strong, durableand effective for its designed use.

To effect the object of the invention, my improved link comprises thevarious features and details of construction hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which an uncoupling link of myinvention is fully illustrated,

Figure 1 is a side view of an uncoupling device embodying a link of myinvention, shown as applied in use to a standard type of vertical planecoupler, the link being shown in position corresponding to lockingposition of the coupler locking pin.

Figure 2 is a detached side view of the link, on an enlarged scale,showing the link members in extended relation.

Figure 3 is a view from the left hand side of Fig. 2; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the link as shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have, for purposes of clear and definiteillustration, shown a railroad car, indicated at A, equipped with ausual type of vertical plane coupler B and an uncoupling device Cembodying a link of my invention, designated as a whole D, forconnecting the uncoupling lever c with the locking pin 6. Exoepting asregards the construction of the link D, said coupler B and uncouplingdevice C merely exemplify usual or approved forms of couplers anduncoupling devices, respectively, and both thereof will readily beunderstood by persons skilled in the art from an examination of thedrawing without a description thereof in detail.

The link D comprises two members 0i and Serial No. 551,050.

01 flexibly connected in overlapped position by a shackle 0Z throughwhich said link members extend and which is pivotally con nected to theoverlapping ends thereof so 4 formed at the end of the uncoupling lever-0 and in the projecting upper end of the locking pin 6.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, also, the shackle d engages eyes 5 and 6formed in the overlapped ends of the link members (Z, (Z said shackleand the eyes 5 and 6 being proportioned to permit desired endwisemovement of said link members relatively to each other, preferablyWithout spreading the overlapping ends thereof to an appreciable extent.That is, the over-all dimension of said shackle is less than thedistance between the remote sides of the eyes 5 and 6 when the linkmembers are in contact and said eyes are in transverse alignment. Also,said shackle is so proportioned with rela-' tion to the overlap of theends of said link members that it will permit limited angular play ordivergence of said link members, but will prevent each thereof fromturning around the end of the other.

The proximate and lateral sides of the overlapping end portions of thelink members 05, d", are flattenedsaid overlapping end portions beingshown as substantially square in cross-section-and the shackle (Z is soproportioned that, when the parts of the link are assembled, saidshackle will prevent said link members from turning, either on their ownlongitudinal axes or about each otheror, in other words,'will maintainsaid link members in designed operating positions To provide forconveniently attaching the eyes 1 and 2 on the link members to the eyes3 and 4 on the uncoupling lever 0 and on the locking pin 1), said linkswill preferably be supplied on order with the eyes 1 and 2 open, asshown in dotted lines at 7 and 8, Figs. 2 and 3, so that, to finish theconnection after said eyes 1 and 2 have been conveniently be forgedfrom. metal bars of suitable size and cross-section or may be formed bystamping the same from solid metal plate of suitable thickness.

All connections between the parts of the link D and to the uncouplinglever 0 and locking pin 6 are made with suliicient clearance not only toprovide for desired freedom of movement in operation without danger ofbinding, but to prevent the link from freezing up that is from becomingclogged and inoperative by an accumulation of snow, ice or sleet in itsconnections, which would impair or entirely prevent its operation.

I claim- 1. A link adapted for connecting the operating lever of a carcoupler with the locking member thereof, comprising two link members anda member which connects said link members together in overlappedposition, said connecting member being pivoted to said link members, therelation being such that said link members will be movable endwiserelative to each other.

2. A link adapted for connecting the op erating lever of a car couplerwith the locking member thereof, comprising two ln members and a shacklethrough which i link members extend and which has PlVOtlil connectiontherewith, the relation being SL-Jll that said link members will bemovable endwise relative to each other.

3. A link as specified in claim 2, in which the link members areprovided with eyes in their overlapping ends through which the shacklepasses.

4. A link as specified in claim 2, in which the link members areprovided with eyes in their overlapping ends through which th shacklepasses and to which it is loosely fitted, the major inside dimension ofthe shackle being sufiiciently greater than the distance between theadjacent inner sides of the eyes in said link members when said linkmembers are in contact with each other to provide for contemplatedendwise move ment of said link members.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereuntoafifixed my signature.

CHARLES lV. BOOTHL

